Second-year quarterback Tua Tagoavaila will enter the 2021-2022 NFL season with a barrage of weapons. Although the receiving core looks nearly identical to last year, several players were unavailable due to COVID-19 or injury.
Newest Additions
The Miami Dolphins used the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to draft Jaylen Waddle, a 5-foot-9 speedster from Alabama. The Houston, Texas native hauled in 106 passes for 17 touchdowns in two and a half seasons at Alabama. While Waddle is known for his eye-popping speed, his ability to gain separation at the line of scrimmage is commendable. Unlike many vertical threats in today’s game, Waddle naturally catches the ball away from his body. This is crucial as it demonstrates that the Alabama product possesses veteran qualities as a rookie. Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s complex route tree will prepare Waddle to handle an NFL playbook.
This offseason, the Miami Dolphins signed veteran WR Will Fuller to a one-year, $10.6 million contract. The Notre Dame product previously served as a reliable target for Deshaun Watson when healthy. Fuller put together his most impressive season in 2020, racking up 879 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Veteran Presence
Although seventh-year receiver DeVante Parker may have been a late bloomer, he is Miami’s most dynamic receiver. The former first-round pick has surpassed the 60+ receptions and 750+ yards mark in consecutive seasons. Expect Parker to continue to build a rapport with Tagovailoa as he takes advantage of his mammoth catch radius to haul in any pass thrown his way.
Heart Over Height
Jakeem Grant’s career with the Dolphins has been a roller coaster, to say the least. The Texas Tech product went from being targeted once in his entire rookie season, to now competing for a starting spot. Grant was Miami’s second-highest performing wide receiver in 2020, hauling in 36 passes for 373 yards.